This is a retrospective review of two surgical methods used for the management of cubital tunnel syndrome. The authors retrospectively reviewed 56 patients with clinical and electrodiagnostic evidence of chronic cubital tunnel syndrome. Twenty-two of these patients were treated by medial epicondylectomy and 34 were treated by anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve along with partial medial epicondylectomy. The rationale or explanation for the partial medial epicondylectomy was to prevent possible compression of the relocated ulnar nerve. Follow-up was performed at one year minimum. The follow-up grading was performed by the Classification System of Wilson and Krout.
The results overall demonstrated excellent in 14 patients, good in 13 patients, fair in 6 and poor in 1 patient. Statistical analysis comparing the two groups demonstrated no statistically significant difference between the two groups. This study indicates that both procedures are of similar benefit in the surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Most likely, what is most important is an adequate surgical release and decompression of the nerve. Certainly, a prospective randomized trial comparing the two groups would be of benefit. However, in order to document significant differences between groups, there would have to be substantially larger populations in both patient groups.
Cubital, Tunnel, Syndrome, Ulnar, Nerve, Epicondylectomy
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